By Florence Jaukae Kamel - Bilum Fibre Artist
A young woman Abigail Tunge Yapa who is 23 years old and a student who withdrew from studies from the University of Goroka after facing financial difficulties is taking on modelling as a career. Miss Yapa hails from Wabi-Sumi , Kagua-Erave of SHP. She spent most of her childhood days growing up in Goroka, Hence Eastern Highlands Province is like Home to her. She was attending the University of Goroka doing her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science but had to withdraw from Uni in 2019 due to Financial issues.
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| Abigail Tunge Yapa : Photo credit Florence Jaukae Kamel - Bilum Fibre Artist |
Following Florence Jaukae Kamel - Bilum Fibre Artist page and the Bilum Festival, Goroka page, she saw the callout for models. She decided to join the Annual Bilum Festival Team in 2019, and has been participating since then with the Local Runway. She says, being part of the Bilum Team has given me a second chance to do something better for myself when I was out of school for a year. Her experience coming down to Port Moresby for the first ever Virtual Runway gave her hope to new dreams.
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| Abigail Tunge Yapa : Photo credit Florence Jaukae Kamel - Bilum Fibre Artist |
Being a Highlander, she knew of tales from her mother ancestors who gather traditional ropes from tree barks to Weave Bilums. Bilum that were woven to Carry Food, Clothes, Belongings and Bilums that are also used to Carry babies. Weaving Bilum is a Tradition passed down from a Mother to her Daughter. Today, this tradition has died out due to the influences of the Western cultures, that totally changed the way we dress, eat and the way we Carry our Bilums around. I am so Thankful to say that, through Bilum Festival I encountered chances to meet many People from all aspects of life. As well as , Modeling has boosted my self-esteem and it has helped me to build alot of confidence with myself. Walking and posing infront of cameras and people built my confidence. Wearing a Bilum wear is the best feeling ever, As I am very privileged to wear a cultural object and unique pieces designed by the best fashion designer in the country and woven by Mother's in the village, not sewn by machines or fabric. Bilum is unique and my identity. I wear Bilum wear with Pride. I now look forward to the upcoming Annual Bilum Festival that will be this September 16-18, 2021 at the Pacific Gardens Hotel.
Source : Florence Jaukae Kamel - Bilum Fibre Artist
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